We’ve had four public holidays so far this year.

And with five more to look forward to in June, August, October and December, Citizens Information are receiving a lot of queries about what, exactly, employees are entitled to, especially if they’ve been laid off during the pandemic.

“During lay off or short-time working, you still are employed by your employer and your contract of employment remains in force,” said John Beausang of Cork City’s Citizens Information.

“This means that you are entitled to benefit from any public holidays that occur during the first 13 weeks of your lay off.”

On a public holiday, most businesses and services close for the day, and most employees are entitled to one of the following public holiday benefits;

• A paid day off on the public holiday
• An additional day of annual leave
• An additional day’s pay
• A paid day off within a month of the public holiday
• If you do not normally work on a Monday, then you are entitled to one-fifth of your normal weekly wage for that day.

Part-time employees qualify for public holiday entitlement if they have worked at least 40 hours during the five weeks ending on the day before a public holiday.

According to Yvonne Rayner, Cork City’s Citizens Information Manager, an employee should ask their employer which of the above applies to them at least 21 days before a public holiday.

“If the employer does not respond at least 14 days before the public holiday, then the employee is entitled to a paid day off on the day,” said Rayner.

If you need information or advice on your employment rights, you can call a member of the local Citizens Information team in Cork City at 0761 07 6950 (City Centre) or 0761 07 6850 (City North) from Monday to Friday from 10am to 4.30pm.